Google announced its URL shortening site Goo.gl earlier this month. Goo.gl not only shortens long URLs, but it also creates a QR code for the link. A QR code, or Quick Response code, is a matrix bar code used to identify URLs so that mobile phone users can scan the code and be instantly taken to the URL's destination. Bit.ly, another URL shortening site, is not to be left in the dust. On Tuesday, bit.ly announced that it will now offer the option to generate QR codes.

To make your own QR code via bit.ly, simply go to http://bit.ly/, enter the link you want shortened/turned into a QR code, click "shorten," copy your link, paste it in a new window,. and add ".qr" to the end of the link. For example, I made a QR code for Appscout, by entering "http://www.appscout.com/," which turned into "http://bit.ly/bGgQDo." I then added ".qr" on the end, turning it to "http://bit.ly/bGgQDo.qr". I went to that page, and got the QR code pictured above -- complete with bit.ly fish and all. It's extremely easy.

Jennifer Bergen started as an intern in 2008, writing for PCMag's blog network, and joined the PCMag team full-time shortly after. She has written for Geek.com, Gearlog, AppScout, GoodCleanTech, TechSaver, ZDNet, and ConsumerSearch. She also specializes in finding great deals, both inside and outside the world of consumer tech products. Hailing from Boulder, Colorado, where she also got a degree in news editorial journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Jennifer traded in the mountains for the skyscrapers of New York City. Jennifer was...
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